The 5 km fun run set for Sunday, December 15 will begin and end at Governor’s Restaurant on the Esplanade and follows a double loop around Sydney’s north end. Participants are asked to wear their ugliest Christmas attire for a chance to win free brunch that follows the race.
Instead of charging an entry fee event organizers Wendy Martin of CBC Radio and Tera Camus of Framework Cycle & Fitness are asking participants to bring a toy suitable for any age, from newborns to teens. In lieu of a toy, a $20 entry fee will be accepted and turned over to Transition House to help women and children in crisis.
“It sounds like a silly event but it has a serious purpose which is to help people and children who are less fortunate than many other families in the area,” Martin said.
“Wendy and I were so honoured to deliver 60 toys last year to Transition House in time for Christmas on behalf of the Cape Breton Barbarians and Framework Racing and we look forward to doing it again this year,” Camus added.
Helen Morrison, executive director of Transition House, said they have close to 40 families they are trying to help this Christmas season as well as eight families in their Second Stage Housing Units and eight families at the emergency shelter in Sydney. She said they also expect families will call in the last minute before Christmas because they have nowhere else to turn for help in providing gifts to their children.
“This year the donations have been slower in coming and we have been a bit concerned,” she wrote in a letter to organizers.
“The gifts that are donated from the run will go to many families we have waiting,” Morrison wrote. “Every child deserves a good Christmas and your donations will go directly to the children of the many families we help out.”
Winners of the last year’s Ugly Sweater race were Joey Tetford of Sydney with a time just over 18 minutes and, for the women, Judy Brufatto of Glace Bay who came across the finish a minute or so behind. Winner of last year’s free brunch for wearing the most hideous, distracting Christmas ensemble was Francis MacIsaac of Sydney.
Anyone wishing to donate a gift to Transition House any time before Sunday’s event, can drop them off at Framework Cycle & Fitness at 333 George Street, Sydney.
